gravity field


GIS Data

Changes in Earth’s gravity field resulting from loss of ice from West Antarctica between November 2009 and June 2012 (mE = 10–12 s–2). A combination of data from ESA’s GOCE mission and NASA’s Grace satellites shows the ‘vertical gravity gradient change’.Changes in Earth’s gravity field resulting from loss of ice from West Antarctica between November 2009 and June 2012 (mE = 10–12 s–2). A combination of data from ESA’s GOCE mission and NASA’s Grace satellites shows the ‘vertical gravity gradient change’. Source: DGFI/Planetary Visions

Measuring Small Variations in the Earth’s Gravity

GIS Data

Scientists can create higher resolution maps showing small variations in the earth’s gravity gradient by combining data from two different satellites. The NASA–German Grace satellites were launched in May of 2002 in order to map variations in Earth’s gravity field.  The two satellites fly about 220 kilometers (137 miles) apart in a polar […]